Dear friends and relatives
I have just heard from Margaret's funeral directors that the sum of £265 has been received for Alzheimers Society.
Thank you all very much. Love from Hugh
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Thanks to all for kind wishes!
What a birthday.
Following on a suggestion from Cathy, I think, I contacted Alllen Steele to see if he was attending Ivor's funeral, but Angela told me that Allen had an appointment to see the Hearing Aid man in Aylesbury, so that was out. My next phone call was to my dear Barbara Daniels, and of course, the answer was yes, come in our car. Brian was also pleased to help me out so that is what we did. I drove to Aylesbury via B4100 and A41 and arrived just in time to admire their lovely house, with its super conservatory, looking out on to a beautifully kept garden, well equipped with bird feeders and a lovely decking area, cum pergola. Somebody has been working hard.
I was pleased to see that I was not the only passenger as my dear little friend Brenda Goffin, also from the old Chinnor Op, was also waiting for me to arrive, so off we went to Amersham.
What a crowd of Chinnorites was at the Crem, all, like me-silver topped. We were met by Ken and Glen Ebbs, Martin and Sue Wright, and a host of other friends, pre-Operatic singers and dancers. David and Lyn Boyd-Leslie, the MacDonald Gibsons, Jack Wise, looking much older now, Brenda Chubb, (Edward was not there)sends her love to her No.1 pupil, Pete. Lynne, looking very brave, with her son, Richard and daughter Susie with her three identical young daughters and enormous Dutch husband Jack (Jacque), Andrew and Linda Cameron, Pat and Derek Pribyl, Sue Roderick and husband (Roddy), Sandy Watson, now re-married; ex-orthodentist Brian Christie and wife.(Name eludes me). George and Brenda Wilson, who took over the Parish Council reins from me in 1997. Derek and Elizabeth Nixey, Alison Hood and tall son and also Barbara's son Robin, now looking very tall and handsome. little Judy Thompson, looking no older, and so on down the cast list of so many shows.
The crem service was like something I have never known before, Ivor was a well-known non believer, so we had Jazz and a short address by Rev Mrs. Deval, and a much longer (3 A4 sheets) of appreciation and memories of his friend Andrew Cameron, a short treatise from two of Susie's daughters, another jazz number and we left without seeing the catafalque slide away, to meet in the rain, outside. Brian collected his car and we left, heading for Chinnor, where food was provided in the Village Centre (Not Villlage Hall Pete). Nearly all the Crem attenders were there and Lynne had provided us with various sandwiches, nibbles and wine of red and white. I was welcomed by so many of my old friends who praised my dear Margaret, but not TOO much to open my lacrima ducts.
In fact there was no time for tears, it was like a post show party. No more speeches, just a gradual fading away into the rain. More kissy, kissies from old friends, mainly ladies and we too were on our way back to Brian and Barbara's lovely house, where I left in my car before darkness spoiled my journey. I was home in good time and I said a silent prayer for Ivor and all my friends as well as my deliverance from mad drivers.
Thanks to my family for their Birthday Wishes and to Nic for his offer of a taxi-ride to wherever I want to go. Lovely boy. Love to all and sundry, especially to Brian for taking me to the Crem and to Chinnor! Thanks mate.
from friend and father and Grandad, Hugh
Following on a suggestion from Cathy, I think, I contacted Alllen Steele to see if he was attending Ivor's funeral, but Angela told me that Allen had an appointment to see the Hearing Aid man in Aylesbury, so that was out. My next phone call was to my dear Barbara Daniels, and of course, the answer was yes, come in our car. Brian was also pleased to help me out so that is what we did. I drove to Aylesbury via B4100 and A41 and arrived just in time to admire their lovely house, with its super conservatory, looking out on to a beautifully kept garden, well equipped with bird feeders and a lovely decking area, cum pergola. Somebody has been working hard.
I was pleased to see that I was not the only passenger as my dear little friend Brenda Goffin, also from the old Chinnor Op, was also waiting for me to arrive, so off we went to Amersham.
What a crowd of Chinnorites was at the Crem, all, like me-silver topped. We were met by Ken and Glen Ebbs, Martin and Sue Wright, and a host of other friends, pre-Operatic singers and dancers. David and Lyn Boyd-Leslie, the MacDonald Gibsons, Jack Wise, looking much older now, Brenda Chubb, (Edward was not there)sends her love to her No.1 pupil, Pete. Lynne, looking very brave, with her son, Richard and daughter Susie with her three identical young daughters and enormous Dutch husband Jack (Jacque), Andrew and Linda Cameron, Pat and Derek Pribyl, Sue Roderick and husband (Roddy), Sandy Watson, now re-married; ex-orthodentist Brian Christie and wife.(Name eludes me). George and Brenda Wilson, who took over the Parish Council reins from me in 1997. Derek and Elizabeth Nixey, Alison Hood and tall son and also Barbara's son Robin, now looking very tall and handsome. little Judy Thompson, looking no older, and so on down the cast list of so many shows.
The crem service was like something I have never known before, Ivor was a well-known non believer, so we had Jazz and a short address by Rev Mrs. Deval, and a much longer (3 A4 sheets) of appreciation and memories of his friend Andrew Cameron, a short treatise from two of Susie's daughters, another jazz number and we left without seeing the catafalque slide away, to meet in the rain, outside. Brian collected his car and we left, heading for Chinnor, where food was provided in the Village Centre (Not Villlage Hall Pete). Nearly all the Crem attenders were there and Lynne had provided us with various sandwiches, nibbles and wine of red and white. I was welcomed by so many of my old friends who praised my dear Margaret, but not TOO much to open my lacrima ducts.
In fact there was no time for tears, it was like a post show party. No more speeches, just a gradual fading away into the rain. More kissy, kissies from old friends, mainly ladies and we too were on our way back to Brian and Barbara's lovely house, where I left in my car before darkness spoiled my journey. I was home in good time and I said a silent prayer for Ivor and all my friends as well as my deliverance from mad drivers.
Thanks to my family for their Birthday Wishes and to Nic for his offer of a taxi-ride to wherever I want to go. Lovely boy. Love to all and sundry, especially to Brian for taking me to the Crem and to Chinnor! Thanks mate.
from friend and father and Grandad, Hugh
Monday, March 29, 2010
Happy Birthday Grandad
Love and kisses for today, and looking forward to bbqs a plenty, and a warm summer in the new improved garden.
love Gem & Clive xx
love Gem & Clive xx
Happy Birthday Daddy Darling
Have a good day, I'm hoping that seeing some of the old friends will give you a chance for a warm feeling and have a few smily monents, and maybe the tears will behave. All my love Cathy
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Happy Day!
Dear All, Life has been very busy for me since Saturday, as my darling daughter turned up to help celebrate my birthday, (which is actually not until tomorrow, March 29th,) having driven all the way from West Wales to see me, together with Thomas and Kate. It was so lovely to see Cathy again, as she is a very busy girl and is only able to see me at weekends. She is the cook to a sort of residential Betty Ford Clinic for about 30 Drugees and Alchos, just to the north of Aberystwyth, and about 25 miles from her home. She obviously takes after her mother and cooks very good meals for her charges.
She had even brought with her a ready cooked chicken curry, as they did not want to stop for lunch on the way so, later in the evening we all tucked into the curry. Even I enjoyed it despite the fact that I had eaten in the lunchtime. We soon sorted out the sleeping arrangements as Cathy made up a bed in the dining room and the children kipped down on my lounge carpet, in their sleeping bags.
I had warned Cathy that I would be going to the 9 am Mass, which we have in the beautiful village Church of St. Peter and Paul, but in spite of the fact that she does not get to church very often, she came with me. As luck would have it, the Parish Priest, who has to come 20 miles from his own Parish church in Daventry to say Mass for us, was late and we thought he had forgotten to alter his clocks. But, he turned up late and dispensed with the entry procession of Palms to get on with Mass. We did not finish until 10 am and the normal Anglican worshippers had to wait outside the church until the church was empty for their morning service.
Did you all know that I had arranged for a garden woodworker (Will) to supply and build me an area of decking up in the top corner of my garden?, Well he arrived at 9 am on Saturday, and by lunch time he had built the foundations and was about to start laying the decking boards. He is only a young man and he has started his own business. I think I may have been his first customer.
After breakfast a voice from my computer, told me that Nic and family were on the screen from Singapore and we all had a good chat with lots of merriment.
Then Cathy, knowing that I was not happy with the furniture as it was in the dining room, persuaded her children to help her to re-organise it for me. It now pleases me as there is now room for my large extending dining table, which holds 8 when fully extended, to be in the dining room for us all to sit round it, and for my large sideboard to come in from the garage. Thanks, Cath plus Thomas and Kate
I need not have worried about lunch as Cathy went up to our little Co-op shop and bought enough for us to have a lovely lunch, with a bottle of wine which I had saved for the occasion. By now Will had almost finished the decking and we prepared to sit out in the sunshine when Pete and Janet, with Jessica Bethany and little 7 year old Amy Joanne arrived. Later on Ruth rang up on Skype and more laughter as we all joined in conversing with Julian and Ruth.
So I saw two of my boys in the flesh and two on Skype from abroad AND my lovely Cathy, with a total of five of my grandchildren. What a birthday!! The snag is, it is not until tomorrow and I am to attend the funeral of a friend of mine from Chinnor, Ivor Mumford, whose wife Lynne was in the Operatic Society at the same time as me so there will be many of my old friends from Chinnor there, which could be a bit of a strain on me as we were all so close and they all knew Margaret as well. I will have to be very brave and face what could be an emotional meeting.
Then, before Cathy had to return to Wales, and Steve had left in his lorry we all admired the new decking which, by now was all complete and waiting for us to have a BBQ. We trust that the promise of nice weather in the summertime will come to fruition, so that we can enjoy sitting out on my new decking.
Thank you all for making it a memorable day. Love from a very happy Dad.
She had even brought with her a ready cooked chicken curry, as they did not want to stop for lunch on the way so, later in the evening we all tucked into the curry. Even I enjoyed it despite the fact that I had eaten in the lunchtime. We soon sorted out the sleeping arrangements as Cathy made up a bed in the dining room and the children kipped down on my lounge carpet, in their sleeping bags.
I had warned Cathy that I would be going to the 9 am Mass, which we have in the beautiful village Church of St. Peter and Paul, but in spite of the fact that she does not get to church very often, she came with me. As luck would have it, the Parish Priest, who has to come 20 miles from his own Parish church in Daventry to say Mass for us, was late and we thought he had forgotten to alter his clocks. But, he turned up late and dispensed with the entry procession of Palms to get on with Mass. We did not finish until 10 am and the normal Anglican worshippers had to wait outside the church until the church was empty for their morning service.
Did you all know that I had arranged for a garden woodworker (Will) to supply and build me an area of decking up in the top corner of my garden?, Well he arrived at 9 am on Saturday, and by lunch time he had built the foundations and was about to start laying the decking boards. He is only a young man and he has started his own business. I think I may have been his first customer.
After breakfast a voice from my computer, told me that Nic and family were on the screen from Singapore and we all had a good chat with lots of merriment.
Then Cathy, knowing that I was not happy with the furniture as it was in the dining room, persuaded her children to help her to re-organise it for me. It now pleases me as there is now room for my large extending dining table, which holds 8 when fully extended, to be in the dining room for us all to sit round it, and for my large sideboard to come in from the garage. Thanks, Cath plus Thomas and Kate
I need not have worried about lunch as Cathy went up to our little Co-op shop and bought enough for us to have a lovely lunch, with a bottle of wine which I had saved for the occasion. By now Will had almost finished the decking and we prepared to sit out in the sunshine when Pete and Janet, with Jessica Bethany and little 7 year old Amy Joanne arrived. Later on Ruth rang up on Skype and more laughter as we all joined in conversing with Julian and Ruth.
So I saw two of my boys in the flesh and two on Skype from abroad AND my lovely Cathy, with a total of five of my grandchildren. What a birthday!! The snag is, it is not until tomorrow and I am to attend the funeral of a friend of mine from Chinnor, Ivor Mumford, whose wife Lynne was in the Operatic Society at the same time as me so there will be many of my old friends from Chinnor there, which could be a bit of a strain on me as we were all so close and they all knew Margaret as well. I will have to be very brave and face what could be an emotional meeting.
Then, before Cathy had to return to Wales, and Steve had left in his lorry we all admired the new decking which, by now was all complete and waiting for us to have a BBQ. We trust that the promise of nice weather in the summertime will come to fruition, so that we can enjoy sitting out on my new decking.
Thank you all for making it a memorable day. Love from a very happy Dad.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Thanks for Lunch
Another Holt/Merrow-Smith lunch date to celebrate (on 23rd) Gemma's birthday. I have never had such an interesting lunch, made more fun because we had Maria to teach us Spanish. My favourite Spanish meal was in Alphaz del Pi comprising a lovely paella up in the water fall. Dad
Friday, March 19, 2010
Dear Family
Following on Steve's suggestion, I have arranged for Mum's ashes to be distributed on 11th May at the Crem at 2pm. The Crem people will pack a sealed box for Julian to put in his flower garden. What about you Nic? Love from Dad.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Irish Rover
On the Fourth of July, 1806
We set sail from the sweet Cobh of Cork
We were sailing away with a cargo of bricks
For the Grand City Hall in New York
'Twas a wonderful craft
She was rigged fore and aft
And oh, how the wild wind drove her
She stood several blasts
She had twenty seven masts
And they called her The Irish Rover
We had one million bags of the best Sligo rags
We had two million barrels of stones
We had three million sides of old blind horses hides'
We had four million barrels of bones
We had five million hogs
six million dogs
Seven million barrels of porter
We had eight million barrels of old nanny goate tails
In the hold of the Irish Rover
There was awl Mickey Coote
Who played hard on his flute
And the ladies lined up for a set
He would tootle with skill
For each sparkling quadrille
Though the dancers were fluther'd and bet
With his smart witty talk
He was cock of the walk
As he rolled the dames under and over
They all knew at a glance
When he took up his stance
That he sailed in The Irish Rover
There was Barney McGee
From the banks of the Lee
There was Hogan from County Tyrone
There was Johnny McGurk
Who was scared stiff of work
And a man from Westmeath called Malone
There was Slugger O'Toole
Who was drunk as a rule
And Fighting Bill Tracy from Dover
And your man, Mick McCann
From the banks of the Bann
Was the skipper of the Irish Rover
For a sailor its' always a bother in life
It's so lonesome by night and by day
That he longs for the shore
and a charming young whore
Who will melt all his troubles away
Oh, the noise and the rout
Swillin' poiteen and stout
For him soon the torment's over
Of the love of a maid he is never afraid
An old salt from the Irish Rover
We had sailed seven years
When the measles broke out
And the ship lost its way in the fog
And that whale of a crew
Was reduced down to two
Just myself and the Captain's old dog
Then the ship struck a rock
Oh Lord! what a shock
The bulkhead was turned right over
Turned nine times around
And the poor old dog was drowned (1,2,3!)
I'm the last of The Irish Rover
St Patrick's Day Wahay
Well, in a neat little town they call Belfast, apprentice to trade I was bound
Many an hours sweet happiness, have I spent in that neat little town
A sad misfortune came over me, which caused me to stray from the land
Far away from my friends and relations, betrayed by the black velvet band
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair it hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
I took a stroll down Broadway, meaning not long for to stay
When who should I meet but this pretty fair maid comes a tripping along the highway
She was both fair and handsome, her neck it was just like a swans
And her hair it hung over her shoulder, tied up with a black velvet band
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair it hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
I took a stroll with this pretty fair maid, and a gentleman passing us by
Well I knew she meant the doing of him, by the look in her roguish black eye
A goldwatch she took from his pocket and placed it right in to my hand
And the very first thing that I said was bad luck to the black velvet band
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair it hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
Before the judge and the jury, next morning I had to appear
The judge he says to me: "Young man, your case it is proven clear
We'll give you seven years penal servitude, to be spent faraway from the land
Far away from your friends and companions, betrayed by the black velvet band"
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair it hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
So come all you jolly young fellows a warning take by me
When you are out on the town me lads, beware of them pretty colleens
For they feed you with strong drink, "Oh yeah", 'til you are unable to stand
And the very next thing that you'll know is you've landed in Van Diemens Land
Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair it hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band
Oarsome
Hi Gemma and all
Thanks – but no footage – it was a marvellous day out thanks.
We blitzed along during the race and completed it in just under 24 mins – passing under Chiswick Bridge, Hammersmith bridge and then Putney Bridge at the end. It’s really nice and quite leafy that part of London. It took twice as long to get back as we were against the tide and a little pooped by then, so when it was time to lift the boat out of the water roll it over our heads and back onto the trestles we were mightily tired. But great to be involved with a massive spectacle like that. We were narrowly beaten by two international teams (Italians - good at going backwards) and the winners in our Vet class were ex Olympians – oarsome !? some 4 minutes faster than us. Oh well!
It’s great really because once you’re over 31 you are a vet – so you can join in Gemma if you like!!
Everyone very keen for next year and our next race in Bedford in April. Will be watching the proper boat race on April 3rd with extra interest now
Mad Aunty Val
PS Happy birthday for next week – card in post !!! soon
1,2,3,4,5 fifth from the pointy end!
Thanks – but no footage – it was a marvellous day out thanks.
We blitzed along during the race and completed it in just under 24 mins – passing under Chiswick Bridge, Hammersmith bridge and then Putney Bridge at the end. It’s really nice and quite leafy that part of London. It took twice as long to get back as we were against the tide and a little pooped by then, so when it was time to lift the boat out of the water roll it over our heads and back onto the trestles we were mightily tired. But great to be involved with a massive spectacle like that. We were narrowly beaten by two international teams (Italians - good at going backwards) and the winners in our Vet class were ex Olympians – oarsome !? some 4 minutes faster than us. Oh well!
It’s great really because once you’re over 31 you are a vet – so you can join in Gemma if you like!!
Everyone very keen for next year and our next race in Bedford in April. Will be watching the proper boat race on April 3rd with extra interest now
Mad Aunty Val
PS Happy birthday for next week – card in post !!! soon
1,2,3,4,5 fifth from the pointy end!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Stony Brake
Biggles, Puzzle, Dizzy, Breeze
Biggles, Puzzle, Dizzy, Breeze
Originally uploaded by farthinghoe.
A rare grouping today at gundog training, where we were able to take a snap of Biggles and his Mum Breeze, with his sister Dizzy beyond and her daughter his niece Puzzle looking left.
Other exciting news is that Cinders went into labour yesterday morning at about 4am and had produced 11 pups by 1pm. Two unfortunately got squashed and one is a bit dodgy but a good litter all the same. They are all black and the right thing to do is leave them be for at least a week or two, so no news on what sort and how many for a bit.. ahh
Gem's Birthday
Its birthday-time next Tuesday so we, Clive and Gem are taking the day off work and going up to London to hopefully some theatre and a fishy dinner at J Sheekys (with a side order of celebrity spotting at it’s a well known luvvie hangout!).
This weekend if you were free thought be nice to meet up for lunch on Saturday. Thoughts at the moment depending how many of us are either the The Fishes at Hinksey which we have been to before: (click the pictures for link)
or perhaps Las Iguanas (Latin American) on Park Street Oxford or La Tasca at Oxford Castle as they can cope with groups. Wantage isn't great as its takeaways really and our favourite pub ito eat (in Besseleigh) is under going a renovation so is closed.
Email us if you would like to join me and Clive and if you have a preference and I'll book a table.
Elaine and Steve - of course your Spanish visitor Maria is very welcome but I guess she wouldnt be too over the moon if we went for tapas?!
This weekend if you were free thought be nice to meet up for lunch on Saturday. Thoughts at the moment depending how many of us are either the The Fishes at Hinksey which we have been to before: (click the pictures for link)
or perhaps Las Iguanas (Latin American) on Park Street Oxford or La Tasca at Oxford Castle as they can cope with groups. Wantage isn't great as its takeaways really and our favourite pub ito eat (in Besseleigh) is under going a renovation so is closed.
Email us if you would like to join me and Clive and if you have a preference and I'll book a table.
Elaine and Steve - of course your Spanish visitor Maria is very welcome but I guess she wouldnt be too over the moon if we went for tapas?!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Which is best?
Which is best?
Originally uploaded by ezappy.
answer.. both!
Cheers Beth and cheers Mandy (slurp)
Autie Val finished in her boat race challenge yesterday
(Wiki)The Women's Eights Head of the River Race (WEHoRR) is a processional rowing race held annually on the Tideway of the River Thames in London on the 4¼ mile (7.2 km) Championship Course from Mortlake to Putney.
A mirror of the Eights Head of the River for male crews, it is held a fortnight earlier when the tides are similar. It is raced on the outgoing tide and starting around one hour after high tide in order to maximise advantage from the tidal flow.
Around 300 crews of women (with the occasional male coxswain) compete for over a dozen trophies and pennants. There are categories for beginners, elite and veteran rowers.
Think she's mad but double cheers anyway.
I hope this does not offend anyone
Dear friends
I am sending this card to all those of you, who regularly send my darling late wife, good wishes at Christmastide or on her birthday.
Our son Julian has kindly sent me these lovely cards to use as Greeting and thank-you cards as I will probably not be sending Christmas cards to you all this year. Margaret died on 11th February as you all know and you have sent to me your memories of a kind, sweet lady, together with condolences for me as an unwelcome widower, and my family who have lost a mother. So many of you have lovely memories of her and I thank you for sharing them with me. She always said she was having a happy life and we had many wonderful visits to our widespread family. I can tell you all that in my farewell to the Chinnor Operatic Society in 1998, I said that Margaret was the wind beneath my wings. She was my inspiration. On behalf of my fabulous family, who are now my support I bid you all farewell and send you all God's Blessing. Hugh
--
Hugh Merrow-Smith
I am sending this card to all those of you, who regularly send my darling late wife, good wishes at Christmastide or on her birthday.
Our son Julian has kindly sent me these lovely cards to use as Greeting and thank-you cards as I will probably not be sending Christmas cards to you all this year. Margaret died on 11th February as you all know and you have sent to me your memories of a kind, sweet lady, together with condolences for me as an unwelcome widower, and my family who have lost a mother. So many of you have lovely memories of her and I thank you for sharing them with me. She always said she was having a happy life and we had many wonderful visits to our widespread family. I can tell you all that in my farewell to the Chinnor Operatic Society in 1998, I said that Margaret was the wind beneath my wings. She was my inspiration. On behalf of my fabulous family, who are now my support I bid you all farewell and send you all God's Blessing. Hugh
--
Hugh Merrow-Smith
Saturday, March 13, 2010
WHOSE BIRTHDAY IS IT TOMORROW?
Ha! Ha! I know, it is Beth's Yes it is Beth's - Born 1993, must be 17!
Hurrah for beautiful Beth, I have something for your wallet. Love from Granddad
Hurrah for beautiful Beth, I have something for your wallet. Love from Granddad
Puffy Eyes
Well Pete, glad to see it's nothing to worry about. Yes you should slow it down a bit, learn to take it easy. For me, I've had these sty's under my upper eyelids. I went to see our GP on thursday and he straight away booked me to see a specialist who I saw yesterday afternoon. He had me under the knife by 5 pm to drain the puss out of two cysts. Today my eyes are a bit sore and puffy but should be right by Monday. I asked him what causes it, and he said some say its stuff like chocolate. Oddly enough this all started at around christmas time when I was given one of hose big tins of Quality Street. So next year I'II stick to something more healthy and save the $800 i gave the eye surgeon, for a holiday!
Love the chicken Steve.
Love Nic
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Free Range anyone?
Biggles got the scent for this chicken round the back of the house today and scared her up into the air but she didn't want to go home!!
I took her across the road and put her into the field but she followed me back and stood between my feet looking up at me..lol
My wife's Antique desk
Some time ago, Mum was talking about her antique desk, you know, the one that William Day left her in his Will. So, in deference to Mum's wishes, I arranged for a man to come along and give me a price for bringing it up to standard.
Some long time ago, Steve and I were thinking of improving seating at the end of the garden here, and I thought I might find out how much it would cost me to put some in decking.
I also rang a man who does reasonable decking job for a reasonable cost. Yes, you've got it! The decking man promised to come round on Saturday morning. Just after he rang off, there was a knock on the door and a man stood there, saying it was difficult to find my bungalow, so I got my trousers on and said, it is up the top of the garden, so we went up to where I would like the decking. He said, is the desk in the shed?? I am here to look at your antique desk!! He was the antique man! Did I feel a fool. Anyway, he duly looked at the desk, and hummed and haa;d about the gallery being broken and saying he would have to make a new one and he tried all the drawers and asked where the key was as he said it was getting spoiled by people pulling at the wood to open the desk and was spoiling the lid. I said "How Much", he said I would have to charge about £150 so I said Done!
Din I larf! The antique man said he would give me a ring when he had time to collect it. Job done.
I have a man coming round on Saturday morning to cut the grass, sweep up the yard and get rid of unwanted moss and prune the roses, perhaps he could mend the desk! Love from Dad
Some long time ago, Steve and I were thinking of improving seating at the end of the garden here, and I thought I might find out how much it would cost me to put some in decking.
I also rang a man who does reasonable decking job for a reasonable cost. Yes, you've got it! The decking man promised to come round on Saturday morning. Just after he rang off, there was a knock on the door and a man stood there, saying it was difficult to find my bungalow, so I got my trousers on and said, it is up the top of the garden, so we went up to where I would like the decking. He said, is the desk in the shed?? I am here to look at your antique desk!! He was the antique man! Did I feel a fool. Anyway, he duly looked at the desk, and hummed and haa;d about the gallery being broken and saying he would have to make a new one and he tried all the drawers and asked where the key was as he said it was getting spoiled by people pulling at the wood to open the desk and was spoiling the lid. I said "How Much", he said I would have to charge about £150 so I said Done!
Din I larf! The antique man said he would give me a ring when he had time to collect it. Job done.
I have a man coming round on Saturday morning to cut the grass, sweep up the yard and get rid of unwanted moss and prune the roses, perhaps he could mend the desk! Love from Dad
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
yer tis.. Pat and Molly
Pat and Molly
Originally uploaded by ezappy.
aka Hugh and Marg
I hope Peter you can get some respite from your ordeal.
Free health check....
I've been a bit quiet of late pending the outcome of a free health check courtesy of Macclesfield General. We were up at Mac the weekend before last when I was taken over all funny during the interval of a pantomime we had gone up to see put on by our friends at Titherington Family Worship.
Turns out I was hyper-ventilating, triggered by a rush of adrenalin, although I had no inkling how it started and still cannot remember a time when I was breathing over actively. Even the paramedics didn't recognise that I was doing that...but that's what it was. The symptoms manifested themselves like those associated with a heart attack or a stroke so I was rushed to the general and put on the machine that goes ping for a few hours. In time I was brought back under control. The chest x-ray (where I had to hold my breath) helped quite a bit - they didn't tell me when I could start breathing again so this probably did wonders to restore my blood carbon dioxide levels. I was duly declared to have a young person's heart, packed up with a new night shirt (sans sweat) and sent home at 11.30pm. We were staying at a friend's in Mac, house sitting. Fortunately we had a chinese meal sitting back at the house which we had not had time to consume before going out to the panto.
Since then I have undergone all manner of blood tests and everything is normal. They reckon that I must have taken on some additional stress in recent times, and the events associated with mum's passing was like the straw on the camel's back. I am consequently re-evaluating how I do everything, and getting much more sleep. The bottom line is I now feel quite healthy again and am back to being my old self. In fact, I feel better than I used to. All those growing old pains and fears about bodily deterioration as we age have been swept aside, such that I am now ready to take on some more exercise and lead a healthier lifestyle.
Still, it was a bit of a wake up call. Hope everyone else has been fine. I love this family so much, I really couldn't face leaving you all yet. Nice to know that the doctor's have given me the all clear with the added postscript thatI take it a little easier on the stress front, and do what I can to make my lifestyle healthier. I have to say, teaching is pretty stressful, so if push comes to shove that might ultimately be something I consider giving up.
Love to all
Pete
Turns out I was hyper-ventilating, triggered by a rush of adrenalin, although I had no inkling how it started and still cannot remember a time when I was breathing over actively. Even the paramedics didn't recognise that I was doing that...but that's what it was. The symptoms manifested themselves like those associated with a heart attack or a stroke so I was rushed to the general and put on the machine that goes ping for a few hours. In time I was brought back under control. The chest x-ray (where I had to hold my breath) helped quite a bit - they didn't tell me when I could start breathing again so this probably did wonders to restore my blood carbon dioxide levels. I was duly declared to have a young person's heart, packed up with a new night shirt (sans sweat) and sent home at 11.30pm. We were staying at a friend's in Mac, house sitting. Fortunately we had a chinese meal sitting back at the house which we had not had time to consume before going out to the panto.
Since then I have undergone all manner of blood tests and everything is normal. They reckon that I must have taken on some additional stress in recent times, and the events associated with mum's passing was like the straw on the camel's back. I am consequently re-evaluating how I do everything, and getting much more sleep. The bottom line is I now feel quite healthy again and am back to being my old self. In fact, I feel better than I used to. All those growing old pains and fears about bodily deterioration as we age have been swept aside, such that I am now ready to take on some more exercise and lead a healthier lifestyle.
Still, it was a bit of a wake up call. Hope everyone else has been fine. I love this family so much, I really couldn't face leaving you all yet. Nice to know that the doctor's have given me the all clear with the added postscript thatI take it a little easier on the stress front, and do what I can to make my lifestyle healthier. I have to say, teaching is pretty stressful, so if push comes to shove that might ultimately be something I consider giving up.
Love to all
Pete
Is this the one Juney?... Dad?
June'sPrePosh
Originally uploaded by ezappy.
If I'm right, Auntie June took this, one of her favourite photos (and mine) of Mum and Dad on Mum's birthday.
She says it was "at Ryde just before your Dad took us, (Lenny as well) for a posh-nosh."
She says "your Mum had on a red and white dress in the days when she was eating well and looked super!"
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
I've just felt a pup in her tummy kick!! aah
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